2007 Award Winners

Jim Carlson CBA Store of the Year Impact Awards

Christian Supply, Inc.

Spartanburg, SC

Chuck Wallington

Christian Supply, Inc. has achieved an overall incredible performance ratingin Christian retail.  In nearly every measured industry benchmark, the store surpasses typical industry expectations. As the largest family-owned Christian retail operation in the world, Christian Supply continues to be a leader in innovative and creative marketing and management techniques.

  • Incredible sales performance: With an inventory turn rate of 4.1, Christian Supply is well ahead of typical industry numbers. This number is even more commendable because of the store's large size (35,000 square feet) which makes good inventory turns and sales per square foot more challenging. Christian Supply's average sales per square foot is an impressive $271.
  • Strategic marketing plan: Christian Supply has one of the most detailed, targeted, and strategic marketing plans seen in the industry. Their plan focuses on well-defined core customers and their marketing plans reflect a desire to specifically reach these core customers, which includes 50,000 in-store loyalty-program customers and online purchasers.
  • Widespread outreach efforts: In addition to supporting and organizing a long list of outreach efforts, Christian Supply developed the Winter Book Ministry Project. For three weeks from late January through Valentine's Day, Christian Supply offers one specially chosen book (to nurture the spiritual health and growth of the community) for half price to anyone in the community. If someone cannot afford the book, Christian Supply will simply give the customer the book for free. More than 25,000 books are sold or given away through this program annually.

 

Harvest Bookstore & Cafe

Riverside, CA

George Thomsen

The Harvest Bookstore & Cafe, a long-time CBA member, has an exceptional retail presence in the Riverside community.  This church-owned store is truly operating as a full-fledged Christian retail store, and has embraced many of the best practices of our industry, with great success.

  • Outstanding sales performance: The store's sales per full-time employee is above average at $140,107, and the store's sales per square foot is an impressive $322.
  • Innovative merchandising techniques: George Thomsen and his team have found creative way to entice customers into the store by integrating the latest technology with the store's products, such as multiple flat screen TVs used to showcase the merchandise and inform customers about new products. Harvest Bookstore also changes their displays on a weekly basis, uses thematic end cap displays, and modern in-store signage that matches every department.
  • Ministry outreach in the community: The Harvest Bookstore has engaged in numerous long-term commitments to community events and fund-raising efforts. Since 1995, the store has donated $3,000 on a monthly basis to local and international evangelism causes. Their local giving includes being actively involved in a variety of community outreach such as the Harvest Golf Classic, Gurnall Cancer Fun, Olive Branch Home School Network, and the California Baptist University "Spirit of Excellence Gala".
  • Strong mission statement: “The Harvest Store will serve with faithfulness and excellence each customer God entrusts to us. We will strive to be an effective servant to the church through the profitable retailing of materials honoring Christ that will edify, educate, evangelize, and equip our customers."

 

Cornerstone Bookstore

Boone, NC

John and Patricia Pope

Cornerstone Bookstore has been a member of CBA since 1986, and during this time the Popes have grown their store from an initial 800 square foot structure to their brand new 10,000 square foot building in Boone, NC. With a passion for developing their customers and their staff, John and Pat consistently run both an effective business enterprise and a widespread ministry outreach.

  • Impressive Sales Performance: The store's sales per full-time employee is above average at $117,369, and the store's sales per square foot is an outstanding $166. Their inventory turns are an industry high at 4.7.
  • Ministry outreach in the community: Cornerstone Bookstore actively supports Bible based ministry outreaches in its local area and around the world. Some of the local ministries supported by Cornerstone include Crisis Pregnancy Center, local Christian camps, and local Christian schools. Internationally, the store helps in supporting missionaries from Russia, China, Moldova, Israel, Macedonia, India, Africa, Ukraine, South Korea, Poland, and numerous others. The Popes "count it a great and thrilling privilege to send forth from the Cornerstone to all corners of the world."
  • Solid mission statement: "Heralding Jesus Christ as God's 'Emancipation Proclamation' for mankind, planting the incorruptible seed - The Word of God - by providing Christ centered books, Bibles, and products."